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ADVISORS completed

Method for comparing new technologies with each other is ready-for-use

Telematics applications in cars are no longer futuristic, they have become reality. New, luxurious cars are already, as a standard, equipped with navigation systems, advanced cruise control, and other gadgets. The manufacturers state that they have a positive influence on road safety, driving comfort, and fuel consumption.

 

In the four-year EU project ADVISORS, the various systems were examined to determine whether they really do support the driving task and have a positive effect on road safety, road capacity, and the environment. ADVISORS was completed this spring.

 

Project

The ADVISORS project, in which various partners from 10 EU countries cooperated, and of which SWOV was coordinator, has provided a framework for the evaluation of all Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) as to their effects on road safety and the environment. Special attention was paid to the influence of the various systems on driving behaviour. Finally, study was made to determine the most desirable implementation scenario. This included specifying which actions needed to be undertaken, and which parties should be involved.

 

Effects

Useful information about the effect on traffic flow and air pollution of some systems was obtained from simulation studies. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) systems did result in a better traffic flow and an increase in road capacity at low speeds. This effect was not found in Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) systems, but they did result in less air pollution.

 

Preferences

The project provided a great deal of information about drivers' preferences. No broad acceptance is to be expected from systems in which the values are set beforehand and cannot be influenced by the driver. Systems that interfere with driving behaviour also lead to more resistance than systems that provide the driver with information, or systems that give a warning signal when a particular border value is exceeded. For example, it has been shown that systems which warn the driver if he/she has falls asleep are highly regarded, especially by those drivers whose driving was very risky at that moment.

 

Implementation

The study of the most desirable implementation scenario showed that each system requires its own introduction. The introduction of the various systems requires attention in driving lessons in order to standardize operation and the possibilities of adapting the values. It is of great importance that international governments and manufacturers cooperate on these points.

 

Method

ADVISORS has provided a method for describing the whole course that has to be covered to determine what the expected effects of a system are. The method involves, among other things, a risk analysis, a multi criteria analysis, together with various performance and measuring indicators for the various phases of the of the course. Criteria have also been determined, by means of which can be laid down whether or not a certain performance falls within acceptable margins. Using this method, it has been made simpler to compare the various systems with each other. It can also give a better understanding of the decision-making and the choice of installing a particular system. The method is also very usable for other technological developments.

 

You can find more information about ADVISORS on the website: http://www.advisors.iao.fhg.de. On this website the final report may also be consulted..

 

SWOV Research Activities 23 - September 2003

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